Plans for a statue of Mahatma Gandhi have been approved in Leicester.
Leicester's planning chiefs gave the go-ahead to build a 3.8m-high monument to the spiritual and political leader on land off the city's Golden Mile - a stretch of road renowned for its Asian jewellery shops and Diwali celebrations.
Petitions posted on the Prime Minister's website for and against the plans attracted more than 1,000 signatures each.
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Protesters claimed there were people from the city, such as former England footballer Gary Lineker, who were more deserving of a statue.
They also argued that the planned monument would become a focus for racial tension in a city with a number of large ethnic minority communities.
But supporters said the bronze figure, which will sit on a granite plinth, will help celebrate Leicester's diversity and honour Gandhi's peaceful philosophy.
City councillor for the area, Manjula Sood, said: "He was not for one particular community. His principles of tolerance and non-violence appeal across the board.
"There can't be a better place than Leicester to have this statue."
The £20,000 monument will be put up in Belgrave Road and paid for by local charity Samanvaya Parivar.
Planning committee vice-chairman Hussein Suleman said: "To say that Mahatma Gandhi would be a focus for racial tension is the complete opposite of what can be achieved.
"People need to understand what he was about. He was about non-violence and unity. The statue will send out a very strong message all around the world."
Gandhi was leader of the Indian independence movement and lived to see his country gain self-rule before he was assassinated in 1948.
A statue of him already stands in England, in Tavistock Square, London.
I as a muslim and I'm sure the majority appreciate Mahatma Gandhi's efforts in creating peace between Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities. I hope we can all continue to live in peace and stay united.
I as a muslim and I'm sure the majority appreciate Mahatma Gandhi's efforts in creating peace between Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities. I hope we can all continue to live in peace and stay united.
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